Playlist
(5 talks)

Diane von Furstenberg's 5 favorite TED Talks

The legendary fashion designer — who created the wrap dress and remains an icon in the industry (she's also President of the Council of Fashion Designers of America) — picks the 5 TED talks that have inspired her most.

Playlist (5 talks):
Diane von Furstenberg's 5 favorite TED Talks

Venice is sinking. To save it, Rachel Armstrong says we need to outgrow architecture made of inert materials and, well, make architecture that grows itself. She proposes a not-quite-alive material that does its own repairs and sequesters carbon, too.

“I was fascinated by this. If I had not been a fashion designer, I would have been an architect. And I am so inspired by the way that Rachel is boldly re-thinking the entire equation to be innovative and sustainable.”

Elizabeth Gilbert muses on the impossible things we expect from artists and geniuses — and shares the radical idea that, instead of the rare person "being" a genius, all of us "have" a genius. It's a funny, personal and surprisingly moving talk.

“This is one of my favorite talks because she really tackles the role of fear in the creative process and what comes after great success. My mother always taught me that 'Fear is not an option,' and Gilbert seems to live by that as a writer in a way that is so inspiring.”

Artist Neil Harbisson was born completely color blind, but these days a device attached to his head turns color into audible frequencies. Instead of seeing a world in grayscale, Harbisson can hear a symphony of color — and yes, even listen to faces and paintings.

“I always say 'Imagine a world without color ... ' but Neil Harbisson did not have to imagine it. I was so moved by his story and by his refusal to accept his fate of not being able to experience color. Instead of seeing it, he hears it, and I think it is just an amazing example of how technology can be used to improve our lives in more and more personal ways.”

Body language affects how others see us, but it may also change how we see ourselves. Social psychologist Amy Cuddy shows how “power posing” — standing in a posture of confidence, even when we don’t feel confident — can affect testosterone and cortisol levels in the brain, and might even have an impact on our chances for success.

“Even more than how body language affects how others see us, I was so interested in what she had to say about how it affects the way that we see ourselves. Body language can make us more confident ... and confidence is so important.”

Human beings have been campaigning against inequality and poverty for 3,000 years. But this journey is accelerating. Bono "embraces his inner nerd" and shares inspiring data that shows the end of poverty is in sight … if we can harness the momentum.

“I love this talk for its optimism and hope. Bono finds the light in the darkness that is poverty and inspires us all to walk towards that light together.”